You don't need to modify the controller. You can buy little boards which will plug into the cable at the break-away point then go to a USB connector. It's just a simple PCB w/ 4 traces. (i can't find a link to it any more, but here's a cable...
http://secure.llamma.com/catalog/pro...products_id/78)
After that it's just a matter of installing the USB driver and you should be good to go.
I don't see why you wouldn't be able to use it in this configuration every year.